Call-up has AFL goal ump Mark Ensbey on cloud nine

An AFL goal umpire. Tasmania is well represented at the elite umpiring level.Source: Supplied

INJURY has paved the way for Tasmanian goal umpire Mark Ensbey to realise his dream after he received an AFL Goal Umpires Provisional Contract.

Despite having waved the flags for only five years, Ensbey has moved quickly through the ranks and has officiated in three State League grand finals and three interstate games.

Ensbey has been given a 2014 AFL contract after a long-term injury to a current umpire, bringing him a step closer to being appointed to AFL matches as well as acting as the third goal umpire scorer at other times.

He joins two other Tasmanians on the contract list this year, Ben Lehner retaining his spot on the field umpires’ supplementary list, where he will be joined by Joel Harris.

Lehner has umpired the past four TSL grand finals while Harris was named the 2013 Tasmanian field umpire of the year.